Chevrolet Malibu (2015) vs. Lincoln MKC (2016) Specs

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2015 Chevrolet Malibu and 2016 Lincoln MKC Specifications

Model Year	2015	2016
Model	Chevrolet Malibu	Lincoln MKC
Engine	turbocharged 2.0L I4 DOHC-4v 259 hp@5500 295 lb-ft@3000	turbocharged 2.3L I4 DOHC-4v 285 hp@5500 305 lb-ft@2750
Transmission	6-speed shiftable automatic	6-speed shiftable automatic
Drivetrain	FWD	AWD
Body	4dr Sedan	4dr SUV
			Difference
Wheelbase	107.8 in	105.9 in	1.9 in
Length	191.5 in	179.2 in	12.3 in
Width	73.0 in	73.4 in	-0.4 in
Height	57.6 in	65.2 in	-7.6 in
Curb Weight	3635 lb.	3989 lb.	-354 lb.
Fuel Capacity	18.5 gal.	15.5 gal.	3 gal.
Headroom, Row 1	39.0 in	39.6 in	-0.6 in
Shoulder Room, Row 1	57.5 in	56.0 in	1.5 in
Hip Room, Row 1	55.0 in	54.4 in	0.6 in
Legroom, Row 1	42.1 in	40.8 in	1.3 in
Headroom, Row 2	37.5 in	38.7 in	-1.2 in
Shoulder Room, Row 2	57.1 in	55.3 in	1.8 in
Hip Room, Row 2	54.3 in	52.8 in	1.5 in
Legroom, Row 2	36.8 in	36.8 in	0 in
Total Legroom	78.9 in (over 2 rows)	77.6 in (over 2 rows)	1.3 in
Cargo Volume, Minimum	16.3 ft³	25.2 ft³	-8.9 ft³
Cargo Volume, Maximum	16.3 ft³	53.1 ft³	-36.8 ft³

2015 Chevrolet Malibu Seat Room and Comfort: Pros
Year	Comment
2016	Chevrolet's designers styled the new Malibu's instrument panel to appear low and out of the way, such that the front seat feels especially roomy and the view forward seems more open than in most competitors, including the Kia (the instrument panel in which seems significantly higher and more imposing). In the tested car, which had every option except the panoramic sunroof, headroom was so abundant I could have worn a fedora. The Kia Optima might have as much front headroom when similarly without a sunroof. The official specs, which often don't reflect real world differences, suggest it should have even more than the Malibu. But you cannot get a highly equipped Optima without the sunroof, as it's part of a large package on the SX and standard on the SX Limited. Though the Malibu's windshield is relatively large, you won't find outward visibility among the reasons to buy one. The Chevrolet's front pillars remain on the thick side, its instrument panel is considerably deeper than the Kia's, and the view to the sides and rear also could be more open. In the Optima, the view to the sides is more open but that to the rear is not. I did find the Cherolet's front seats more form-fitting and comfortable than the Optima's. The Kia's quilted seats aren't as cushy as they appear. see full Chevrolet Malibu review

2015 Chevrolet Malibu Seat Room and Comfort: Pros
Year	Body/Powertrain	Comment
2014	4dr Sedan 196-horsepower 2.5L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD	Both front & rear compartments very roomy & comfortable. Again, this is noted improvement over our 2009 Malibu. see full Chevrolet Malibu review

2016 Lincoln MKC Seat Room and Comfort: Pros
Year	Comment
2015	Seat comfort can be highly subjective, partly because human bodies come in many different shapes and sizes. This said, the MKC's driver seat fit me like a glove from the moment I first sat down. The seat bottom is cushier than most, including those in the Acura and Audi, while the seatback is very well contoured. You'll find more lateral support in the Acura, but the Lincoln's seats offer as much as owners are likely to need in a compact crossover. The view forward from this seat is better than in the Ford Escape, as the MKC's windshield doesn't seem as steeply raked and doesn't have oddly curved, fishbowl-effect lower corners. Also, the top of the Lincoln's instrument panel better disguises its considerable depth. The instrument panels in the Acura and in German competitors require no such artful disguising, as they aren't nearly as deep. To the rear, the MKC's windows are at least as small as the Escape's, and smaller than the Acura's and the Audi's. Luckily the side mirrors are large and blind spot warning is an option. see full Lincoln MKC review

2016 Lincoln MKC Seat Room and Comfort: Cons
Year	Comment
	Unfortunately, the Lincoln MKC's key weakness is at least as apparent as any of its strengths once one moves beyond the official specs--likely cheated, per Ford's recent practice--and actually sits in its rear seat. The Escape is tighter than most back there, and the MKC is tighter still. Sitting behind my 5-9 self, my knees come within a couple inches of the front seatbacks. Put a tall driver up front, and I wouldn't fit in back. Nearly all competitors have roomier rear seats. You'll find far more shoulder room and rear knee room in the RDX. Perhaps Lincoln should have stretched the MKC's wheelbase a few inches to expand the rear seat. As is, it's about four inches shorter than the RDX, Q5, and Volvo XC60. A roofline an inch lower than the Escape's might improve the exterior's proportions, but it cuts into interior space. see full Lincoln MKC review

None of our members have yet commented on the seat room and comfort of the 2016 Lincoln MKC.

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